The byproduct of a Tyreek Hill and Davante Adams trade sweepstakes, both of which resulted in market-topping contracts that average (thanks to some creative accounting) $30 million and $28 million per year, respectively, was always going to be a long line outside of the GM’s office for those who have yet to be paid.
A.J. Brown is skipping voluntary offseason workouts and tweeting through it (never tweet through it). Deebo Samuel has, according to an ESPN report, requested a trade. Per multiple reports, the issue is not only money but usage. Presumably, Samuel may be concerned with being pigeonholed as a running back after carrying the ball 59 times in the regular season last year, and 27 times over three games in the playoffs. Samuel resurrected the 49ers rushing game, with head coach Kyle Shanahan parlaying Samuel’s adoration of contact and short-yardage quickness into an every-down weapon.
Understandably, Samuel could—and should—be concerned about how that usage affects his viability to earn generational money as a wide receiver. Personnel executives could begin to see Samuel as a running back, nudging him into a salary classification that almost never receives long-term deals, as opposed to a wide receiver position that is smashing records by the moment.
